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UNICORN
Aug 11, 2011 10:26:24 GMT 10
Post by Snowflake on Aug 11, 2011 10:26:24 GMT 10
UNICORN With the Unicorn Horn Series a matter of days away, GHS were putting in their final breezes today. James tacked up the schedule for the workouts this morning on the door, just as the four riders wandered into the barn, each holding a piece of toast or fruit.
Time | Horse/s | Rider/s | Instructions | 5.15am | Silent Fury Seraphim Strike A Pose
| Marissa Stella Sarah | 4F Turf Breeze | 5.45am | Rush Hour Windbreaker Here's The King
| Sarah David Stella | 4F Turf Breeze | 6.15am | Bank On Greatness Vindictive Fury
| Sarah Marissa | 4F Dirt Breeze | 6.45 | Born To Soar
| Sarah | 4F Turf Breeze | 7.15 | Lawliet's Girl
| Sarah | 4F Turf Breeze | 7.45 | Silver Stalker Bank On Glory
| Sarah Marissa | 4F Dirt Breeze |
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UNICORN
Aug 11, 2011 12:19:42 GMT 10
Post by Snowflake on Aug 11, 2011 12:19:42 GMT 10
SILENT FURY + Marissa Star SERAPHIM + Stella Mackenzie STRIKE A POSE + Sarah Star
All three of their mounts ready to go, Marissa, Sarah and Stella grabbed their helmets and body protectors and lead them down to the track. They each vaulted on from the mounting block, then began warming up at a trot on the turf track. Silent Fury was being good today, hardly playing up at all. He was entered in the Juvenile Turf, after having won his first race the other week. The colt wasn't exactly a nice guy, but he was showing talent as a racehorse.
Seraphim was entered in the Maiden. It was to be her first race, which would probably been seen as a disadvantage. However, the distance of the race was certainly to her advantage. She was a sprinter, whereas most of the horses in the race would probably do better at 8-10 furlongs. Strike A Pose was one of those horses, also entered in the Maiden. She, however, had the racing experience of one previous start, that Sera didn't have. Nevertheless, both Stella and Sarah were confident of their filly's chances.
They trotted for a while in silence, each going over the race in their minds. Ready to canter? Sarah asked. The others agreed, and each cued their horse to canter. Stella loved Seraphim's canter. It was so smooth and gentle. She wished she could sit to enjoy it some more. Poser's canter was a bit more bouncy, as the filly was a bit of a show off. Did you guys see that Silence is only up against one other horse in the Juvenile turf? Marissa asked, without looking away from between her colt's ears.
Stella glanced at her, her eyes momentarily taking in Silent Fury's powerful physic. Two horses? The colt was bound to win. Seraphim snorted, as if to say something like Pssh. Sarah responded after a few extra moments, seemingly deep in thought. Yeah, he's up against Axis Mundae. She beat Poser in the Flipping Frog Stakes.
Marissa nodded thoughtfully, risking taking a hand off the reins to twist a lock of Silence's mane in her fingers. Isn't she out of Little Miss Innocent? The Hall of Fame Inductee? Stella asked, to confirm. Yeah, she is. She's a good filly. Sarah replied. Marissa shot both of them a grin. And Silence is a good colt. Both the other riders knew what Marissa was getting at - colts were usually faster and stronger than fillies. There were exceptions, but Silence was pretty well built, and pretty damn fast.
What do you think of your chances in the Maiden? Marissa asked the other two, curious to know what they thought. It was a decent sized field, unlike the Juvenile Turf. Neither answered for a moment, then Stella said Well.. I think Seraphim is the only sprinter in the field. I think we have the advantage there. Sarah nodded slightly. I agree. Poser is capable of staying much long distances. She'll be better at mile and classic distance races. Same with alot of the horses in the race that I've seen run.
Sarah always did her research. If she wasn't riding a race, she was watching it. She always took opportunities to speak with other riders about their mounts too, to gain an idea about the competition. She'd been over working herself a bit this past month or so to get an idea of all the two year olds that were starting - she knew just about every three and four year old by now.
Gallop? She suggested, cueing Poser to gallop as she saw the 4 furlong pole loom. All three thoroughbreds switched to the faster pace, instantly fighting for the lead. Sarah restricted Poser, who wasn't a front runner, then guided her behind the other two, who were fighting for the lead. Arghh. Marissa said. She had to make a split decision now, before Silence decided to take a chunk out of Sera, or vice versa.
Stella gritted her teeth and held Seraphim back. Silence won this time around. Sera tossed her head angrily, frustrated at having to give up her lead. But Silence was bigger and heavier built than she was, and they couldn't risk injury to either horse. They flew around the turn, and into the homestretch. With two furlongs to go, they began to make their moves. Marissa crouched lower on Silence's back, giving him more rein and urging him on. The colt took off, sprinting ahead. Sarah had already given Poser the cue, and the chestnut filly gained ground quietly on the outside. Seraphim wasn't about to lose, and exploded into her top speed, gaining slightly on Silent Fury.
Half a furlong to go! Silence was still ahead, by half a length. Poser, who had put a fair bit of horizontal space between herself and the others, was about equal with Seraphim. Both fillies fought hard, but they couldn't gain any more. The trio swept past the finish, the big dark bay colt beating the fillies by roughly a half length. Marissa grinned ear to ear, while Sarah and Stella smiled, proud of their fillies' efforts. They were ready for the Unicorn Horn Series.
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UNICORN
Aug 12, 2011 19:54:08 GMT 10
Post by Snowflake on Aug 12, 2011 19:54:08 GMT 10
RUSH HOUR + Sarah Star WINDBREAKER + David Perez HERE'S THE KING + Stella Mackenzie
Sarah, Marissa and Stella slowed their horses, turned them around and headed for the gap in the rail. After dismounting, Sarah and Stella handed their mounts off for new ones. Marissa, who had half an hour till her next ride, opted to walk Silent Fury herself to cool him out. David and Windbreaker joined Sarah and Rush Hour, and Stella and Here's The King.
They began with a warmup trot like before. Stella and Here's The King were getting along well, which was good. They had only been working together for a few weeks, since GHS had reclaimed the young stallion. King had only raced 12 times in his career, which was disappointing considering his vast potential. He had however, in those twelve starts managed to win 5 times, place second 4 times, and third once. He'd only placed out of the top three twice, and they had been in his two year old season. GHS was confident the five year old could do more now, especially considering his spectacular win in the Boy's Festival* last year.
Windbreaker was the youngest of the trio, at three years old, but she was also very talented. Last year, she'd achieved more in her two year old season than King had in his career so far. With 14 starts, 5 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds, the filly had only placed out of the top three twice, for two fourth places. The first had been her very first race, the second against older horses in the Butter Cup Sprint*. Her major wins included the Azalea Cup Fillies* and the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf*. She also run second in the Girl's Festival*, and third in the Star Festival*. At the end of last year, she'd nearly gotten the Best 2yo Filly award, but instead recieved an Encouragement Award after her stablemate Born to Soar took the cake.
Rush Hour was also five years old, and the Unicorn Horn Sprint would be her last race. In her three seasons of racing, Rush Hour had won her way to G1, winning such races as the Girls Festival*, Star Festival* and Breeder's Cup Sprint*. She'd only placed out of the top three once. Rush hadn't however won the Unicorn Horn Sprint*, and Sarah was really hoping she would so the mare could retire to brood on a really good note.
Good field, the Sprint. David said conversationally. Sarah pressed Rush into canter, and the other two followed suit. Competition wise, anyway. Windbreaker snorted beneath him, as if to say I'll beat them all. Stella frowned thoughtfully. It could be anybody's race. They've all faced each other before, and won.
Sarah listened to them speak without much interest. As much as she loved the other two horses, she really wanted Rush Hour to win. It was the mare's last race, and one she'd never won before. Windbreaker hasn't beaten the others yet, I don't think. David replied. She was two last year, these guys and Deadly Desires were four, and Pegasus Wings was three.
Oh yeah.. Stella trailed off, and concentrated on her riding. Sarah finally decided to say something, as the four furlong pole loomed before them. Stella's right though, it could be anyone's race. she said, getting ready to cue Rush to gallop. The mare excitedly tugged on the reins. She was ready to go. Beside them, Here's The King broke into gallop. Windbreaker, on the other side of King and Stella, also broke into gallop. Sarah cued Rush, and the mare instantly broke into the faster pace, pulling away from the other thoroughbreds.
Here's The King was a closer, and took position behind Windbreaker. Windbreaker could run anywhere she felt like, and today opted for preceder, behind Rush Hour. Rush Hour was a natural born leader, and took position two lengths ahead of Windy. Three furlongs to go. The horses held their positions. Rush Hour galloped along easily, quite content that no one was contesting her lead. Windbreaker happily galloped in second, anticipating when she would be asked to really go all out. Here's The King kept up the pace with no trouble, almost snoozing behind the others. Two furlongs to go.
Stella cued her horse, and Here's The King began to make his move. David glanced back, and upon seeing King approaching quickly, he asked Windbreaker to go. She immediately began to eat into Rush Hour's lead. 1.5 furlongs to go. Sarah and Rush Hour simultaneously realized that both Here's The King and Windbreaker were gaining ground rapidly. The mare switched gears, aggressively upping her speed. But it was too late; the other two horses were level with them and they were caught in a speed duel.
One furlong! It was going to come down to whoever got their nose in front. Each horse was sprinting their hardest, desperately trying to get ahead. Come on Rush! Sarah shouted, her words lost in the wind. They flashed by the finish, no one knowing who had won. They slowed their horses down to canter, then circled back to the gap in the fence, each rider with a grin. They were ready to sprint to glory in the Unicorn Horn Sprint!
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UNICORN
Aug 12, 2011 22:06:01 GMT 10
Post by Snowflake on Aug 12, 2011 22:06:01 GMT 10
BANK ON GREATNESS + Sarah Star VINDICTIVE FURY + Marissa Star
Stella, David and Sarah dismounted. Stella and David lead their horses off themselves, while James, who had finally come down from the office to watch, swapped Sarah Bank On Greatness for Rush Hour. He gave her a quick kiss, smiled, and then left with Rush to cool the mare out. Sarah smiled to herself, leading Greatness over to the mounting block. She mounted easily, then trotted him onto the dirt where Marissa had already begun warming up with Vinny.
The four year old filly seemed to be in a good mood, sending Greatness a sweet little whinny of greeting. He neighed back, lengthening his stride to catch up with her. Naww, they so have a crush on each other. Marissa said when they caught up, smiling. Sarah grinned back, giving Greatness an affection slap and rub on the neck. Ahh, I'm a bit nervous for the Mile. She said. Marissa nodded in agreement There's so many good horses running. Indeed there was, but Vinny and Greatness were more than up to it.
Vindictive Fury was temperamental, which was at times detrimental to her racing. But when she did behave, and she did use her brain, and didn't skitz out, the filly could be absolutely phenomenal on the track. She'd started to mature in the last few months, and had run second in her first start of the season two weeks ago. Marissa really felt that this would be Vinny's year. Bank On Greatness was grade two, and had been overshadowed by his two older brothers for a while. With Impressario retired, and Bank on Glory potentially retiring, it was looking more and more likely Greatness would shine this year.
The two horses broke simultaneously into canter, at the cue of the riders. Vinny tossed her head spiritedly, eager for a gallop. It was nice to see her behaving; she really had matured lately. They cantered in silence, each rider contemplating the race they were facing in a matter of days. It was full of good horses, and it was going to be a challenge. They would be happy if they could place in the top three, but both really wanted to win. Especially considering their horses bloodlines. Bank On Greatness was full brother to Impressario, while Vindictive Fury was the first born of Hall of Fame Inductees Rising Fury and Everyday Hero. That wasn't to say other horses in the field weren't as impressively lined.
The four furlong pole came around before they knew it, and Vinny sprang into gallop, pulling ahead of Greatness slightly. The grey colt allowed her to get ahead, as he favoured a position behind the leaders in a race. Marissa crouched low on Vinny's back, not interfering with the filly where she could help it. Vinny didn't tolerate alot of direction from her rider - she liked to think she knew best, and being told what to do just made her angry. Sarah did the same, holding Greatness close to the rail and leaning slightly as they rounded the turn.
Into the homestretch! Vinny started to pull away rapidly, but Greatness wasn't out yet. The colt switched gears and started to really pound away, eating into the filly's lead. Marissa glanced under her elbow, and Sarah saw her franticly urging Vinny faster as Greatness closed the daylight between them. That did it, Vinny hated being told what to do, and she exploded. With a toss of her head and a slight leap into the air, the filly then dug in furiously and lengthened the space between the two horses.
Come on Greatness! Sarah squealed, not wanting him to lose to his stable mate. Greatness was already trying really hard, but somehow managed to find just a little bit more, and put on a short burst of speed. They caught up slightly to Vinny, but the filly was still the clear winner when the flashed by the finish moments later. Sarah cursed herself, knowing she'd made a mistake not asking the colt to go as soon as they came out of the turn. Once Vinny got ahead, and especially once she got furious, there was no catching her.
They slowed, and returned to the gap. Marissa was smiling smugly, and giving Vinny's sweat soaked neck scratches here and there. We'll get you in the race. Sarah promised, grinning despite her annoyance with herself. They were ready as ever for the Unicorn Horn Mile.
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